So after 4 days at WDW, we drove to the Royal Pacific on Christmas Eve and spent the final day of our vacation at Universal. Knowing we had to leave at 5:30pm to catch our flight home, we got up at 6am so we could grab breakfast in the lounge (very convenient) and get a water taxi to IOA before early entry at 8am. When they let us through the gates at 7:45am, we walked straight to Harry Potter land and rode Forbidden Journey. Although we had all ridden and enjoyed it a few years ago, all four of us including DS19 and DD17 were very nauseous afterwards. So we skipped FOTH and walked around the shops enjoying Hogsmeade. We had experienced Ollivanders on our last trip (in fact DD was chosen to be part of the show), so we decided to get on line for the Hogwarts Express to US at 8:30am. That part of the Harry Potter land had not been built yet on our last trip.
After a 20 minute EP wait, we all enjoyed the train ride and were excited to try Escape from Gringotts when we got to Diagon Alley, but unfortunately it was down. The fire-breathing dragon on top sure was cool though as were other little touches in that area of the park. We mostly wanted to try attractions that were new since our last visit so we went to Transformers. This was by far the most nauseating, unenjoyable ride that ANY of us had ever been on anywhere! We all hated it and couldn't believe the long line to get on it later in the day. After recovering our equilibrium, we went to an old favorite - Mummy - which we all loved. At this point we went back to Gringotts which was back in operation and got on the EP line which was still 45 minutes mostly in the sun. We all agreed that this was a super fun ride, tamer than Mummy, but still really cool (even the non-Potter fans in our group enjoyed it). After sharing a delicious frozen butter beer, we took the kids to RRR while DH and I experienced Race through NY with Jimmy Fallon. We all enjoyed our choice. As New Yorkers it was fun seeing our stomping grounds as part of the ride. After that we all rode my favorite attraction, ET and then waited for the Hogwarts Express back to IoA. It was worth experiencing in both directions.
We had lunch for the first time ever at Three Broomsticks - it was worth the 40 minute wait and I highly recommend it. The family meal including rotisserie chicken and ribs, salad, veggies and corn on cob was delicious! Then we headed over to Kong where we waited 50 minutes on the EP queue before hearing an announcement that it was down for a “brief delay” then eventually for an “extended delay” so we left. That was a bummer because we wanted to try it, but in hindsight, perhaps it was for the best after our nausea on FJ and Transformers. Then various members of our group rode Hulk and then Free Fall, and we even had some time at the arcade before we had to leave for our flight home. It was actually amazing how much we were able to accomplish in under 10 hours on Christmas Day despite the holiday crowds. Overall, we enjoyed our day at Universal, but I personally enjoy the non-3D simulator rides that there are many more of at WDW. One day at Uni was enough for me, but I was glad I was able to experience it.
After a 20 minute EP wait, we all enjoyed the train ride and were excited to try Escape from Gringotts when we got to Diagon Alley, but unfortunately it was down. The fire-breathing dragon on top sure was cool though as were other little touches in that area of the park. We mostly wanted to try attractions that were new since our last visit so we went to Transformers. This was by far the most nauseating, unenjoyable ride that ANY of us had ever been on anywhere! We all hated it and couldn't believe the long line to get on it later in the day. After recovering our equilibrium, we went to an old favorite - Mummy - which we all loved. At this point we went back to Gringotts which was back in operation and got on the EP line which was still 45 minutes mostly in the sun. We all agreed that this was a super fun ride, tamer than Mummy, but still really cool (even the non-Potter fans in our group enjoyed it). After sharing a delicious frozen butter beer, we took the kids to RRR while DH and I experienced Race through NY with Jimmy Fallon. We all enjoyed our choice. As New Yorkers it was fun seeing our stomping grounds as part of the ride. After that we all rode my favorite attraction, ET and then waited for the Hogwarts Express back to IoA. It was worth experiencing in both directions.
We had lunch for the first time ever at Three Broomsticks - it was worth the 40 minute wait and I highly recommend it. The family meal including rotisserie chicken and ribs, salad, veggies and corn on cob was delicious! Then we headed over to Kong where we waited 50 minutes on the EP queue before hearing an announcement that it was down for a “brief delay” then eventually for an “extended delay” so we left. That was a bummer because we wanted to try it, but in hindsight, perhaps it was for the best after our nausea on FJ and Transformers. Then various members of our group rode Hulk and then Free Fall, and we even had some time at the arcade before we had to leave for our flight home. It was actually amazing how much we were able to accomplish in under 10 hours on Christmas Day despite the holiday crowds. Overall, we enjoyed our day at Universal, but I personally enjoy the non-3D simulator rides that there are many more of at WDW. One day at Uni was enough for me, but I was glad I was able to experience it.
